Dallas Cowboys' updated roster after a costly first week of NFL free agency
The first week of NFL free agency is officially in the books and the Dallas Cowboys sure kept quiet, limiting themselves to signing Eric Kendricks as their only outside addition thus far.Meanwhile, the Cowboys lost several starters including Tyron Smith, Tony Pollard, Stephon Gilmore (remains available), among others.Now that things have slowed down across the […]
The first week of NFL free agency is officially in the books and the Dallas Cowboys sure kept quiet, limiting themselves to signing Eric Kendricks as their only outside addition thus far.
Meanwhile, the Cowboys lost several starters including Tyron Smith, Tony Pollard, Stephon Gilmore (remains available), among others.
Now that things have slowed down across the league, let's take a look at where the Cowboys roster stands at as of right now.
Note: Asterisks (*) represent a 2024 free agent addition and does not include a re-signed player.
Quarterback (3)
Presumed starter(s): Dak Prescott
Backup(s): Trey Lance, Cooper Rush
How we got here: No surprises here but Cooper Rush's spot is not guaranteed. He could provide the team $2.25 million in cap savings. After the Cowboys let a $4.25 roster bonus vest for Trey Lance, all signs point toward him becoming Prescott's immediate backup.
Running back (5)
Presumed starter(s): Rico Dowdle
Backup(s): Malik Davis, Deuce Vaughn, Snoop Conner, Hunter Luepke (FB)
How we got here: Yikes… Tony Pollard leaves for the Tennessee Titans in free agency and we're left wondering who would start a game if it had to be played today. The Cowboys are likely to add a running back in Day 2 of the 2024 NFL Draft. In the meantime, it's Dowdle leading the way with Luepke playing the role of a fullback. (Dowdle was signed on Monday of the second week of free agency after the original posting of this article).
Wide receiver (9)
Presumed starter(s): CeeDee Lamb, Brandin Cooks, Jalen Tolbert
Backup(s): KaVontae Turpin, Jalen Brooks, Martavis Bryant, David Durden, Racey McMath, Jalen Moreno-Cropper
How we got here: Tolbert is officially WR3 after the Cowboys cut Michael Gallup last week. It's a big bet on the third-year player's development. The Cowboys could use some depth behind their group of starters but it's a solid trio catching footballs from Dak.
Tight end (5)
Presumed starter(s): Jake Ferguson
Backup(s): Luke Schoonmaker, Peyton Hendershot, Princeton Fant, John Stephens Jr.
How we got here: This is one of the most intriguing positions on the roster. Ferguson is becoming a legitimate threat on the field and every other guy has a shot at TE2. Don't forget John Stephens was killing it in training camp before a preseason injury. Schoonmaker will have to take a huge jump after a slow start as a rookie.
Offensive line (10)
Presumed starter(s): Asim Richards (LT), Tyler Smith (LG), Brock Hoffman (OC), Zack Martin (RG), Terence Steele (RT)
Backup(s): T.J. Bass, Matt Waletzko, Josh Ball, Earl Bostick Jr., Dakoda Shepley
How we got here: The Cowboys lose two starters in Tyron Smith and Tyler Biadasz to free agency and it's time to shuffle things around. The team will likely add a starter through the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft. What they decide with Tyler Smith will be key as he can play both left tackle and left guard. T.J. Bass and Brock Hoffman could be looking at increased roles very soon depending on how the pieces fall.
EDGE (6)
Presumed starter(s): Micah Parsons, DeMarcus Lawrence
Backup(s): Sam Williams, Viliami Fehoko, Tyrus Wheat, Durrell Johnson
How we got here: The position takes a huge hit after losing over 700 snaps combined between Dorance Armstrong and Dante Fowler Jr. But the Cowboys are fine starters wise. I wouldn't be surprised if the front office throws various darts at edge rushers in the late and middle rounds of the draft.
Defensive tackle (4)
Presumed starter(s): Osa Odighizuwa (3T), Mazi Smith (NT)
Backup(s): Carl Davis (NT), Chauncey Golston (3T)
How we got here: Johnathan Hankins remains a free agent, so in the meantime it's Mazi as the projected starter, even though he had an up and down rookie season. The team badly needs to add defensive tackles.
Linebacker (4)
Presumed starter(s): Eric Kendricks*, Damone Clark
Backup(s): DeMarvion Overshown, Buddy Johnson
How we got here: The lone outside free agent signing the Cowboys made in the first week of free agency is Eric Kendricks, who becomes an instant starter on Mike Zimmer's defense, which he played on in Minnesota from 2015-2021. Clark and Overshown provide some depth but I'm assuming Markquese Bell will be transitioned back to the safety position under Zimmer.
Cornerback (6)
Presumed starter(s): Trevon Diggs, DaRon Bland, Jourdan Lewis (Nickel)
Backup(s): Nahshon Wright, Eric Scott Jr., Josh Butler
How we got here: Stephon Gilmore is the biggest loss even though he remains available in free agency. Re-signing Jourdan Lewis was huge as he provides the Cowboys a solid option at nickel. A player to watch is Eric Scott Jr., who was a healthy scratch all of last season despite the team trading up for him in last year's draft.
Safety (6)
Presumed starter(s): Malik Hooker, Donovan Wilson
Backup(s): Israel Mukuamu, Juanyeh Thomas, Markquese Bell, Sheldrick Redwine
How we got here: Bell is likely to rejoin the safeties now that Zimmer is defensive coordinator. He, Israel Mukuamu, and Juanyeh Thomas makes us believe the roster bubble battle at this position is going to be an electric one once we get to training camp.
Specialists (4)
Presumed starter(s): Brandon Aubrey (K), Bryan Anger (P), Trent Sieg (LS), C.J. Goodwin (ace)
Backup(s): None
How we got here: Pretty much all stays the same here, with the most notable change being Goodwin is back after suffering a season-ending injury in Week 3 last season. He's listed as a specialist since we know the Cowboys have no interest in playing him at cornerback and only plays special teams.
Where do things go from here?
Rostered players: 62
Spots available: 28
The reality of this roster is that it has plenty of holes, especially when it comes to depth at key positions. The Cowboys' biggest need as of right now is offensive line, they should be looking into adding two starters or betting on unproven players on their roster.
Next up would be linebacker and defensive tackle but depth at EDGE and cornerback should also be seen as a concern right now. The Cowboys are likely to do most of this work through the NFL Draft, as that's how they've always done things while spending minimal cash in free agency.
